Culinary journalist and author of Tasting Rome, Katie Parla enchants readers with her love letter to the Italian South by pulling back the curtain and showcasing the vibrant, food-centric culture alongside deliciously modernized versions of favorite and forgotten cooking traditions that will impress your nonna.

Cooking and eating are both deeply rooted in the framework of Italian society, but, like its society, the country’s cuisine is wildly diverse. While all of Italy values fresh produce and bright flavors, the Italian South is best known for its rustic and romantic cuisine. After the critical success of her first book Tasting Rome, Katie Parla travels south to the warm regions of Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, and Puglia to discover her heritage through food. With 85 original and reimagined recipes that encapsulate the regionally unique dishes and staples, Food touches on what readers might expect (mozzarella, tomatoes, coffee, fish, and of course, pasta), but Parla goes beyond the recipes with stories, cultural insights, and personal discoveries that only someone as intimately familiar with Italy as she is can offer.